Milk cooler



Jan. 169 19 34.

Filed Feb. 3. 1931 A. V. PHILLIPS MILK COOLER I. v l l F 1 10 I l 1| 50 0 10 1' I/OVO O I H I I I 1% 30 v o I l 1c? 16 17 Ci u u I INVENTOR.

A TTOR E Y.

Patented Jan. 16, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT orrice MILK COOLER Application February a, 1931, s'erial' vo. 513,175,. and in Canada January 10', 1931 8 Claims.

This invention relates to refrigerating apparatus and more particularly to apparatus of that character to be used for cooling milk.

The principal object of this invention is the j provision of a milk cooler of simple and inexpensive construction.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a milk cooler in which a large cooling surface is exposed to direct contact with the milk to be cooled.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a milk cooler in which all of the parts which come in contact with the milk to be coole are readily cleanable.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a milk cooler structure embodying this invention with parts of the cooler broken away showing the construction of the interior thereof;

Figure 2 is an end elevational view of the structure shown in Figure 1 with parts broken away showing the interior construction.

The milk cooler embodying this invention is of very simple construction and comprises a supporting frame 10. a container 11 for the milk to be cooled, and a tank 12 adapted to contain a refrigerant evaporator 13 immersed therein in a bath of water. The frame 10 is constructed of hollow tubing. It comprises a pair of spaced vertical members 14 supported by four legs 15.

Each of the vertical members 14 is secured to a pair of thelegs 15 by means of a three way coupling joint 16. The coupling 16 is connected to the legs 15 by elbows l7. 7 The pair of legs secured to each of the frame members 14 lie in a plane at right angles to the plane in which a line joining the members 14 would lie. A horizontal cross member 18 having its opposite ends secured to the coupling 16 joins the two vertical members 14 together. A two way coupling joint 19 is secured to the upper extremity of the vertical members 14. A second horizontal cross member 20 having its opposite ends connected to the couplings 19 joins the vertical members 14 together at their upper extremities. Interposed between the ends of the cross member 20 and in spaced relation to each other are a pair of two way cou-' pling joints 21 having a vertical opening therethrough. To provide for absolute rigidity in the supporting frame 10-a super structure 22 consisting of somewhat smaller tubing than the rest of theframe 10 is disposed above the vertical members 14 and has its extremities joined to the couplings 19.

Positioned midway between the cross members 18 and 20 is a horizontal supporting frame 23- comprising a pair of horizontally spaced members 24 having their adjacent ends joined together by means of elbows 25 and a two way coupling 26. The two way coupling 26 is connected to another two way coupling 27 having a hollow vertical por-' tion 28. The hollow portion 28 is somewhat larger than the vertical frame member 14- and is adapted to enclose that member and to be movable vertically thereon. The vertical portions 28 of the couplings 27 are provided on their outer sides with openings 29 adapted to register with similar openings 30 provided at intervals throughout the length of the vertical members 14. The interior of the openings 29 are threaded and adapted to receive similarly threaded screws 31, which hold the frame 23 in position on the members 14. When the screws 31 are removed or withdrawn sufiiciently from the openings 29 the horizontal supporting frame 23 is movable vertically on the frame members 14, The frame 23 may then be secured in any desired position corresponding to the openings 30 on the vertical members 14' by reinserting the screws 31 a proper distance into the openings 29. 7 so The horizontal supporting frame 23 is adapted. to support the container 11, which consists of a substantially rectangular receptacle having an open top. It is provided adjacent its bottom wall and midway between the end walls with a spigot 5 32. The contents of the container 11 may be withdrawn through this spigot. The container is preferably constructed of sheet metal with a suitable sanitary lining such as porcelain or other noncorrosive material. Although the container 11 is shown without a top wall, it may be closed by any suitable cover if desired.

The tank 12'comprises a substantially rectangular shaped receptacle constructed of sheet metal having inner and outer surfaces covered with suitable noncorrosive material. It is completely sealed except for a pair of spaced openings 33 in the top wall thereof. The tank is adapted to be suspended from the horizontal cross member 20 by means of tubes 34 secured to the lower extremities of the vertical portions of the joints 21 and sealed within the openings 33 in fluid tight contact therewith. The tank is adapted to contain a bath of water. Water is used preferably because no particular harm would be done to the contents of the container 11 if a leak should occur in the tank. However, any' other suitable holdover means such as calcium chloride could be used in the tank. The'water in the tank 12'may be'replenished when it has been depleted due to evaporation or other causes through the vertical portion of one of the joints 21 which is in direct communication with the interior of the tank. A suitable stopper 35 is provided for the upper extremity of the vertical portion of the joint 21.

The tank 12 is constructed preferably but little smaller than the container 11 in order that a large heat transfer surface may be exposed to the milk to be cooled. This type of construction makes possible the cooling of the milk very rapidly. The cooler will have an adequate milk capacity even though the walls of the container 11 are separated from the tank 12 by but a few inches. For example, if the dimensions of the tank 12 are 25 inches, 30 inches and 6 inches, and the dimensions of the container 11 are 30 inches, 36 inches and 10 inches, the milk capacity of the container 11 will be approximately 20 gallons.

The refrigerant evaporator 13 is of the dry expansion type and consists of a spiral coil of refrigerant tubing. It is immersed in the bath of water contained in the tank 12. Liquid refrigerant is admitted to the evaporator through a conduit 36. Expanded refrigerant is withdrawn from the evaporator through a conduit 3'7. The conduits 36 and 37 are in communication with the high side and low side respectively of a refrigerant condensing unit, not shown. Both of the conduits enter the tank 12 through the hollow vertical portion of one of the joints 21. A junction box 38 secured to the horizontal frame member 20 provides a receptacle within which a coupling 38 joins the conduit 37 to the 'suction line leading to the low side of the refrigerant compressor. An expansion valve 40 is also disposed in the junction box 33 and is interposed in the liquid line 36 between the evaporator l3 and the high side of the refrigerant condensing unit. The valve 40 controls the admission of refrigerant to the evaporator 13.

A thermostat element 41 disposed within the tank 12 adjacent one end thereof is connected to the expansion valve 40 by means of a capillary tube 42 which passes out of the tank 12 through the vertical'portion of one of the joints 21. The operation of the expansion valve is controlled by the thermostat in a well known manner. The thermostat element is positioned against one end of the tank 12 in order that it may be responsive both to the temperature of the water bath contained in the tank and the temperature of the milk in the container 11. A guard 43 secured to the end of the tank 12 beneath the thermostat element 41 is positioned around the thermostat for the protection thereof.

The operation of the milk cooler is as follows: With the horizontal supporting frame 23 supporting the container 11 thereon in the position shown in Figure 1, the milk to be cooled is poured into the container. The heat from the warm milk causes the thermostat 41 to open the expansion valve 40 and permit liquid refrigerant to flow into the evaporator 13. Due to a well known physical principle, the heat of the milk will be transferred to the water bath which in turn gives up its heat to produce evaporation of the liquid refrigerant. The evaporated refrigerant is withdrawn from the evaporator 13 by the action of the refrigerant condensing unit.

After the milk has been properly cooled it may be withdrawn from the container through the spigot 32. The cooler may then be dismantled d for cleaning by removing the screws 31 and lowering the frame 23 sufficiently to permit the removal of the container 11 therefrom. All of the exterior surfaces of the tank 12 are thereby exposed and may be thoroughly cleaned in any suitable manner. The interior of the container 11 is also obviously readilycleanable when removed from the frame. When it is desired to again use the cooler, the container 11 may be replaced on the horizontal supporting frame 23 and the frame moved back into the position shown in Figure 1 and secured in that position by inserting the screws 31 into the openings 29.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that this invention provides a milk cooler of simple and inexpensive construction and one which meets with the most exacting requirements with respect to sanitation.

I claim:

1. A milk cooler comprising an open top container for the storage of milk to be cooled, a closed tank disposed within the container, a refrigerant evaporator in the tank, a pressure reducing valve for controlling the admission of refrigerant to the evaporator and means responsive to changes in temperature in the tank for controlling said valve.

2. A milk cooler comprising a supporting frame, a container for the milk to be cooled supported by the frame, a tank disposed within the container and suspended from the frame, a refrigerant evaporator in the tank, and means for lowering the container away from the tank.

3. A milk cooler comprising. a supporting frame, a movable horizontal support carried by the frame, a rigid horizontal cross member secured to the frame in spaced relation to the horizontal support, a container for the milk to be cooled supported by said horizontal support, and a tank containing a refrigerant evaporator disposed within the container, said tank being suspended from the horizontal cross member.

i. A milk cooler comprising a supporting frame, a tank suspended from a rigid horizontal frame member by means of a pair of hollow members, the interior of the tank being in open communication with the interior of the hollow members, a refrigerant evaporator disposed in the tank, and refrigerant conduits for the evaporator disposed within one of the hollow members.

5. A milk cooler comprising a supporting frame, a tank suspended from a rigid cross member of the frame by means of a pair of hollow members, a refrigerant evaporator disposed within the tank, a valve for controlling the admission of refrigerant to the evaporator disposed outside of the tank, and a refrigerant conduit connecting said valve to said evaporator disposed within one of the hollow members.

6. A milk cooler comprising a supporting frame, a tank suspended from a rigid cross member thereof by means of a pair of hollow members, a refrigerant evaporator disposed within the tank, a valve for controlling admission of refrigerant to the evaporator disposed outside of the tank, a thermostat for controlling the valve,

a conduit connecting the valve to the evaporator disposed within the tank, and means disposed within one of the hollow members for operatively connecting the thermostat to the valve.

7. A milk cooler comprising a supporting frame, a tank adapted to contain a bath of water suspended from a rigid cross member thereof by means of a pair of hollow members, and means for replenishing the water bath through one of the hollow members.

8. A milk cooling apparatus comprising a associated with the evaporator and the milk to be cooled for conducting heat from the milk to the evaporator, and means responsive to the flow of heat from the milk to the evaporator for controlling the supply of refrigerant to the evaporator.

ARTHUR VERNON PHILLIPS. 

